Origins of Statehood Movement

One of the earliest supporters of admitting Alaska to the union was none other than Secretary of State William H. Seward, who was responsible for Alaska's purchase. He visited Sitka in 1869, two years after Alaska became an American territory. In an address there, he laid out his vision for Alaska, "first as a territory, and ultimately as a state or many states."

In 1916, Alaska Delegate James Wickersham introduced the first bill to grant statehood to Alaska. The topic had been discussed for decades by then, but nothing had ever come of it. Frustrated by the limits placed on the territory that handcuffed the legislature, Wickersham introduced the bill on the 49th anniversary of the Alaska purchase. On the floor of Congress, he said, "If the iron bands of government repression" could be released, the new 49th state could be the "richest and greatest of them all." 

Wickersham did not believe his statehood bill would be approved right away. In fact, at a gathering in Anchorage, he took pains to point out the many costs that would come with admission to the Union. He also said there was no need to worry, that it was only a matter of time before it would become a state, and by then, the territory would have the financial ability to cover its expenses.

"We hear the first gentle rapping of Alaska at the door of statehood," the Portland Telegram said. Historian Claus Naske said one reason Wickersham's proposal drew so little notice was that "gentle rapping" has never worked in such matters. Pounding on the door was more likely to succeed, but Wickersham realized that the time was not right for an all-out statehood campaign.

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